So, you are simply suggesting get my, “hands dirty,” with Long term rentals, rinsing and repeating the “house hacking” strategy before even considering STR’s and meeting REPS and Material Participation requirements to maximize tax write-offs on my future W-2, correct?

Or alternatively go down to the local housing court, walk up to the counter and ask a clerk who a good real estate attorney is.

This would significantly help my ability to afford the market from a house hack standpoint, but I want to understand what those tax advantages are renting out my basement as a business rental.

If you are an owner occupant my recommendation would be to build an adu and rent it on Airbnb but you can only Airbnb in Albemarle if you are an owner occupant so otherwise I would do something else

Happy house hunting. 

You can do a house hack, where you live in one of the units and rent out the others.

3. for 10+ property owners - does this pattern change, or you are diversified enough?

Others lost on farm deals, houses, condos, avocado, flower deals and more.

We had been planning to buy a house before COVID but missed the opportunity.

I am buying multifamily properties and reaching out to owners.